Geordan Murphy believes that his former Leicester Tigers team-mate Paul Gustard, has added a "steely edge" since taking over at Harlequins this season.

Murphy's Tigers side lock horn with Quins at Welford Road on Saturday and while Murphy recognises that Quins will be tough to break down, he is also aware that they have the attacking qualities to cause problems when they have the ball.

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They underlined their ability in their most recent Gallagher Premiership game when they inflicted a first defeat of the season on Exeter Chiefs.

"They are a quality side," the Tigers head coach said. "They have been for a long time. Adding Paul Gustard at the start of the year has given them a real steely edge.

"Certainly their performance against Exeter was very physical and they played some good rugby as well. They stuck with it, stayed in the game and managed to grind out the result.

Harlequins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard has added a harder edge at The Stoop. Picture - Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Harlequins (Image: Getty Images for Harlequins)

"From that point of view it was always going to be difficult playing them at a tough time of the year. They will come to Welford Road without any fear and will bring a physical edge that they have shown all season. They also have some dangerous players and are dangerous across the board. It's exciting."

Quins have certainly tightened up matters in defence as Gustard has continued to build the reputation he had when he was on the England coaching staff.

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Murphy said: "He has worked with England for quite a few years and was in charge of the defence. He will be known across world rugby primarily as being a defence coach and certainly you can see that in the way Quins defend now.

"It is a lot harder and lot more pressurised than it probably would have been a couple of seasons ago. They are getting really good pay on the back of it with tough runners and strong ball carriers in midfield aligned with players like Marcus Smith and James Lang at 10."